Department of Theatre and Dance

• M.A. Educational Theatre, New York University
• B.S. Theatre Education, Appalachian State University
• NC Teaching License; K - 12 Theatre Education and 6 - 12 English Language Arts
• National Board Certified Teacher, Theatre Arts

Chelsea Wilson Thayer is a writer, theatre educator, performer, and director. She holds her B.S. in Theatre Education from Appalachian State University and her M.A. in Educational Theatre from New York University. She has worked in educational and professional theatre from New York City to London to Fort Worth and finally, back to home-sweet-home, North Carolina. Chelsea is a National Board Certified teacher in Theatre Arts. For the past seventeen years, she has taught Theatre Arts for Kindergarten - 12th grade and 9th-12th English/Language Arts in public and private schools. She has also served as Director of Education and Outreach at Theatre Arlington in Arlington, TX, and Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC. Since 2005, Chelsea has designed and directed upwards of 75 productions in schools, summer camps, and community theatres.

Though Chelsea has an extensive background in teaching and directing, her true passion is Outreach Theatre. Chelsea is the creator and director of Reading is Alive. Since 2008, Reading is Alive has worked to provide rural families with the cultural experience of live theatre while increasing literacy and interest in summer reading among children.

Chelsea is also the author of two young adult novels and one children's picture book. In her work as a writer, she seeks to promote the Appalachian Mountains and its people; to illuminate a region that has always shone brightly. She is thrilled to return to App State and to a department that she knows and loves.